Walking On Water

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I have served as a pastoral counselor for two and a half decades, and have been privileged to impact the lives of thousands of men, women, boys and girls. However, after transitioning to a new church several years ago, my client load has fallen off almost altogether.

However, over the past decade I have developed and supervised a mentoring/discipleship program for young and not so young adults preparing for informal or formal ministry, and have “sat with” dozens of promising individuals; for a year at a time. Many have gone on to become pastors, missionaries, chaplains and social workers. Some have enrolled in graduate school.

Lately, I have, at least temporarily, stepped away from the intern program, as I refer to it, and have felt compelled to establish a new ministry; a rather unique one, if I say so myself. At least, I don’t know anyone who is involved in a similar outreach.

I am in the process of offering the same coursework I developed for my interns to a wider population; namely, small groups and congregations in the local area. I have half seriously referred to myself as a “Wednesday Night Evangelist,” since my wife and I intend to remain in our own church; while I will be performing my ministry on Wednesday nights in various locations. 

As a result, I have asked many of my former interns, and counseling clients to write a “To Whom It May Concern” letter of reference on my behalf; (with which I intend to introduce myself to group leaders and pastors). And while I have experienced some rather significant disappointment, and disillusionment that some have indicated they were too busy to spend 10 minutes writing a letter, (given the time and efforts I expended for them), or they simply ignored my request, many others wrote long and eloquent letters, and forwarded these to me.

And while my favorite attribute in this or any other universe is Humbleness, to which I strive, the feedback I received was reminiscent of The Book of John, Chapter 6; (in which Jesus walked on the water).

Now, my friends, I honestly don’t know what to do with this. While I am grateful for the wonderful platitudes and their appreciation for my impact on their lives, and when one even said, “I hesitate to tell you how great you really are, ‘cause we don’t want you to leave us,” it’s like that old adage from the commercial

… “Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t.” 

Well, sometimes I feel rather inadequate, (and sometime I don’t).

For I know my own faults, and they are legion, (as scripture might put it). And I definitely have never learned to walk on water. One man did it. (Another man tried and managed for awhile). 

I never tried, and I never could.

Nonetheless, I like to think I am a man after God’s own heart, I am appreciative for the support of those to whom I have ministered in the past, I have a great deal of hope and expectation that God will continue to use me in the present, and I am certain He will continue to bless, and cause good to come from the work I continue to do for Him.

By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from "(Mc)Donald's Daily Diary" Vol. 22. Copyright pending

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